10 Things I Know About... RĂ©sume Writing
10. LENGTH IS RELATIVE
Your résumé's length depends on your experience and profession. If you're a seasoned executive, two or more pages are acceptable.
9. CHRONOLOGICAL IS BEST
This format lists your jobs from present to past. Hiring managers like this format, because it’s easier to see your career progression. Avoid functional formats with skills and achievements at the top, employers at the end.
8. SCRAP OBJECTIVES
A generic objective is your résumé's ticket to the trash bin. Hiring managers don’t care about what you want. They're only interested in what problems you can solve for their company.
7. BRAND YOURSELF
Replace objectives with a title that reflects your professional brand, such as benefits administrator, SQL programmer, nonprofit executive or retail store manager. Adjust your title, depending on each job you apply for, only if your résumé's content supports that specific job.
6. USE KEYWORDS
Résumés posted online are read by scanning software that targets specific keywords. Your résumé must contain keywords specific to the job requirements as well as your profession and industry. Read job ads for clues.
5. FLAUNT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Accomplishments tell hiring managers how well you did your job. These are contributions made to your employers, like sales increases, cost savings, or productivity improvements.
4. DESCRIBE EMPLOYERS
Write a short business description underneath each employer to convey clear information about companies that may be unfamiliar to hiring managers.
3. CUSTOMIZE
Don’t use an all-purpose résumé. Customize your résumé for each job you apply for. Use a core résumé document to mix and match content based on the position and job ad.
2. CAMOUFLAGE YOUR AGE
Deflect age discrimination by only listing your most recent 10 to 15 years of experience (with dates). Summarize or abbreviate prior experience, without listing the dates. It’s okay to leave out a college graduation date, if you received your degree more than 15 years ago.
1. NETWORKING IS KEY
Networking is the key to securing employment. People hire people, not résumés. Tap your network for inside contacts who will advocate for your candidacy.
Wittenstein Schwerdlin is a certified career management coach based in Worcester. She can be reached at joellyn@career-success-coach.com.
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